The Journey of Play

Hi, I’m Rae.

A very warm welcome to you! This is my blog post on the journey of play. I am a student psychotherapeutic counsellor at Ripples Wellbeing. From a mental health and well-being perspective, the notion of play feels so important and relevant to write about in today’s world. Many of us are 

experiencing moments of disconnection; whether that’s within ourselves, with others, or even with the world around us

I’m not sure about you, but I do not remember there being any focus in schools about how to find ourselves again if we are ever feeling lost. I hope this blog post can be a very small step towards a sense of comfort and connection for you. 

I read a quote recently that said: ‘’Isn’t it funny how the way we find ourselves again as an adult, is often rooted in what we enjoyed as a child?’’. To me, this felt like a breath of fresh air.  In a world that endorses trying new things to find ourselves, there can be a sense of pressure to: forward plan, pay for something, or find someone to join us in the pursuit to reconnect. This can all feel overwhelming to sort if we are in a place of financial burden, burnout, or disconnection. But returning to what ‘child us’ might have enjoyed, felt like a much softer, accessible, and free approach. An approach that was more about remembering, rather than finding something entirely new, and not knowing where to start. 

So I guess the following sentences are my questions to you! Who were you as a child? What curiosities filled your mind? What was your experience of light-hearted play? If play was not always accessible, how did you wish you could have spent your time to feel at peace or free? Is this activity something that could fit into your week now? (even just for 5 minutes). 

As we grow older, play can start to feel like something we have to earn, something that comes after the to-do lists are done, after we've been productive enough, responsible enough.

But the truth is, play is not a luxury. It’s a part of our healing, our humanness, and our connection to who we really are beneath all the roles we carry.

Play can be the emotional buffer that we need from the seriousness that life sometimes has to offer. Play can also be the anchor to our essence. 

We must not forget our essence.

So... whether it's dancing as goofy as you can, picking up a standard pen to sketch, walking along a fallen tree, or simply letting yourself be silly with your support network, play can be a way back home to yourself. It doesn't need to look like it did when we were children, but it can still carry the same spirit: freedom, curiosity, and joy. 

So, as you move through your day, I gently invite you to notice what lights you up in small, subtle ways. Reconnect with a memory, try something just because it feels good, or give yourself permission to follow a moment of joy without needing a reason. 

Thank you for being here, and for taking a moment to reflect with me. May your own journey of play be one of rediscovery, healing, and deep connection. 

With warmth, 

Rae